The horse owner plays the most important role in ensuring that horses receive adequate nutrition. As such, the owner must have a basic understanding of what an equine needs in its general diet. Barbara Brown, who serves on the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Horse Council and has operated a private equine rescue on her farm for over 20 years, suggested these tips:
Meet Basic Needs
Nutrition for horses consists of a few basic needs: water, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. A white salt block and mineral block should be available in their stall or pasture for free choice feeding. Healthy, adult horses don’t usually need more supplements.
Water
Water must be available at all times and must be clean and fresh. Containers must be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized weekly – even during winter.
Forage
Healthy, adult horses can maintain health and condition on forage sources alone. Many are easily maintained on 1 to 2 acres of grazing pasture or quality hays. The nutrients in the forage vary greatly with maturity of the grasses, fertilization, management and environmental conditions. Legumes are usually higher in protein, calcium and energy than grasses. Horses should be supplied with free choice hay that is clean, sweet smelling and free of weeds or contaminants. Alfalfa should not be fed as free choice, but rather weighed and fed at a rate of 1 to 1 1/2 percent per 100 pounds of body weight per day. Large round bales of hay are often fed for convenience. Hay should be protected from weather and stored in dry areas to reduce the chance of molds. Molds are toxic to horses and can even result in death. Breeding stock should not be fed tall fescue hay (or grazed on tall fescue pasture) due to the high risk of Fescue Toxicosis, but geldings and non-breeding mares can graze on fescue without risk.
Fat
Add fat to increase energy density of the diet should your horse not be maintaining weight on forage alone. Most premixed feeds contain 2 to 6 percent fat content. Fat additives are readily available on the market through many feed stores and online. Some owners add corn oil (1/4 to 1 cup) as a top dressing to feed. Corn oil only adds calories to the diet, but also extra shine and condition to a horse’s coat.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates, necessary for energy, are in nearly every feed source. Corn contains the most, then barley and oats. Sudden ingestion of large amounts of starch or high sugar feeds can cause colic and founder, so care should be taken with these feeds.
Protein
Protein is used for muscle development. Soybean meal and alfalfa are good sources that can be easily added to the diet. Most adult horses require 8 to 10 percent protein. Higher protein is needed for lactating mares and growing foals.
Vitamins
Horses at maintenance usually have more than adequate amounts of vitamins in their diets if they are receiving fresh green forage and or premixed rations.
Vitamin supplements should be added when feeding a high grain diet or low quality hay or when horses are under stress, prolonged strenuous activity or not eating well. Vitamin D is obtained from sunlight, so only horses stalled 24 hours a day need this supplement. Severely stressed horses may benefit from B-complex and Vitamin C supplements.
Minerals
Minerals affect the maintenance of a horse’s body structure, fluid balance in cells (electrolytes), nerve conduction and muscle contraction. Micro-minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium and sulfur are easily supplied through mineral block with free choice access.
Senior Equines
Senior or geriatric horses and abused or starved ones require completely different supplements and should be cared for by experienced horse owners with close veterinarian supervision and advice.
Senior or geriatric horses often can’t process whole grains and forages due to teeth loss. They can still be maintained properly using premixed feeds available on the market at local dealers.
